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Lorenzo Ghiberti , Italian, 1378-1455
Title
The Virgin and Child
Date15th century
MediumTerracotta
Dimensions
77.5 x 57.5 x 20 cm
55 x 16 cm
Credit LinePurchased, 1968
Object numberNGI.8049
Label TextLorenzo Ghiberti was the most celebrated bronze-caster and sculptor working in Florence in the early fifteenth century. He employed a large staff of artists who assisted him with commissions, and also produced terracotta (fired clay) devotional reliefs, such as this one. The Virgin and Child was a popular subject, and such reliefs were often gilded and painted vibrant colours. Traces of the original colours are still visible on this relief. Many Italian artists, at that time, also used clay to create models of sculptures, before creating the finished artwork with more expensive materials such as bronze.